Alte Landapotheke Burg

Nestled in the charming town of Burg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the Alte Landapotheke Burg stands as a testament to the rich history and tradition of pharmacy in the region. Established in 1839, this historic apothecary has evolved into a fascinating museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the past with its meticulously preserved collection of pharmaceutical artifacts and its beautiful architectural presence.

The Historical Significance

The story of the Alte Landapotheke begins with the Rendsburg pharmacist Friedrich Cropp, who was granted the privilege to establish the pharmacy by Christian VIII, the designated Danish king and Duke of Holstein. Although Cropp soon emigrated, the privilege was passed on to August Lemmel, who officially founded the pharmacy on Christmas Eve of 1839. This marked the beginning of a legacy that would see several owners and transformations over the years.

Throughout its history, the pharmacy changed hands numerous times, each owner leaving a unique mark. From Georg August Wolf in 1844 to Julius Gottfried Theodor Hartz in 1857, and later to Friedrich Wilhelm Georg Wöhlecke in 1910, the Alte Landapotheke witnessed the ebb and flow of time and tradition. The pharmacy continued to serve the community until 2010, when its last owner, Peter Sommer, retired.

The Apothecary Museum Experience

Today, the Alte Landapotheke has been lovingly restored and transformed into an apothecary museum, located within the Ditmarsium, the local heritage museum. This captivating exhibit recreates the complete setup of a traditional country pharmacy, showcasing the working life of pharmacists in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Visitors can explore the Offizin, the main sales area of the pharmacy, where customers once awaited their remedies. The room is furnished with a historic hand-sale counter, an imposing cash register, and shelves filled with brown glass bottles and porcelain jars, all designed to protect the medicines from light. Adjacent to this is the Rezeptur, where pharmacists prepared prescriptions using a variety of tools such as scales, weights, and mortar and pestle.

A Peek into the Past

The museum also features a Defektur, where larger quantities of medicines were produced for stock, using equipment like large storage vessels and galenic laboratory devices. The Büro, or office, displays an English desk, typewriter, and historical documents, offering insights into the administrative side of the pharmacy business.

One of the more intriguing areas is the Giftkammer, or poison room, where toxic substances were securely stored in a black cabinet labeled Venena. This room highlights the strict regulations and care involved in handling dangerous materials, categorized under Alkaloida, Mercurialia, and Arsenicalia.

Exploring the Apothecary's Secrets

In the Kräuter- / Materialkammer, visitors can see where herbs and raw materials were stored, with porcelain and brown glass containers lining the shelves. The Stoßkammer, historically located in a separate barn, displays drying herbs and the heavy mortars used to crush them, a task often performed by assistants due to its physical demands.

The museum's Labor showcases a coal-heated oven and a distillation apparatus used for water distillation, filtration, and the preparation of ointments. This collection is enriched with laboratory equipment from other pharmacies, adding depth to the historical narrative.

The Apothecary Garden

Although the original apothecary garden no longer exists, a new herb garden has been thoughtfully designed and planted by the Ditmarsium operators. Featuring over 100 different medicinal herbs, the garden is arranged by traditional folk medicine uses, with informative labels in small apothecary bottles. Guided tours provide further insights into the healing properties of these plants.

In conclusion, the Alte Landapotheke Burg is more than just a museum; it is a journey through time, offering a unique perspective on the evolution of pharmacy and the daily life of those who practiced this essential craft. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious, a visit to this charming apothecary museum is a delightful step back into a bygone era, nestled in the picturesque setting of Burg, Schleswig-Holstein.